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Weather Preparedness

The Office of Public Safety offers the following tips for emergency preparedness and fire prevention this winter:

Family emergency preparedness

  • Update or create your basic home emergency kit with necessary supplies for adults, children, and family members with special needs. Don't forget your pets.
  • Include medications and special care supplies, and update your first aid kit.
  • You should have a hand crank or battery operated radio and flashlight.
  • Non perishable food in your kit should be replaced every year, to ensure freshness. Make sure you have a manual can opener.
  • Cordless phones need electricity to operate. Everyone should have at least one corded phone in the house.
  • Have a three day supply of water on hand, at least two litres per person per day.
  • It's a good idea to also include extra keys, important documents (in a waterproof container) and cash in small bills. In a power outage ATMs and credit machines won't work.

Emergency preparedness on the road

  • Prepare a vehicle emergency kit for use in the event that you get stuck in your vehicle due to snow, ice or other hazards.
  • Your emergency kit should include non-perishable food, water (freeze proof container), wind up or battery operated flashlight, emergency flag, etc.
  • A small candle in a deep metal tin can provide warmth and light. Don%u2019t forget water proof matches.
  • You may want to carry special winter provisions in your vehicle, such as sand or kitty litter and a shovel.
  • Keep your car gassed up. This gives you more options if trouble arises and helps prevent freezing condensation that can stall your engine.
  • Monitor Environment Canada weather predictions and listen for warnings or instructions from local officials.

Winter Fire Prevention

  • Maintain a three foot clearance around heating equipment such as the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater.
  • Always turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
  • Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.
  • Test all smoke alarms monthly.
  • If using a portable generator, carefully follow the manufacture%u2019s instructions.
  • Always locate the unit outside and far from doors, windows, and vents. Never use a portable generator inside a home, garage or crawlspace, even when using fans or opening doors and windows for ventilation.
  • Consider installing a carbon monoxide alarm.

Knowing the risks, having a family emergency plan and putting together an emergency kit in advance will save time and make real situations less stressful. More information on personal emergency preparedness can be found here: Get Prepared Web Site




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